
We’re all interested in what makes us who and what we are; how we think, act and interact with others. That’s why psychology – the science of human mind and behaviour – and counselling are interesting in their own right.
They can also help develop a range of widely applicable transferable skills. Studying psychology with the OU will enable you to gain an understanding of ideas, theories and methods in psychology, learn how to analyse and evaluate psychological concepts, and develop skills in assessing and using different kinds of evidence. It is also an applied science with relevance to many social and global issues.
You can also study theoretical perspectives in counselling, either as part of your psychology study or combined with courses from other providers to become a professional counsellor. You can use the knowledge and skills you develop as an OU psychology and counselling student or graduate to take advantage of exciting and challenging job opportunities in areas such as education, industry, the health professions, management, advertising and marketing, human resources, research, counselling, and social services.
Undergraduate or bachelors degrees are nationally recognised qualifications consisting of academic study designed to help you gain a thorough understanding of a subject.
For a degree in a named subject, such as business studies or humanities, you'll study mainly in your chosen subject, although you may be able to include some modules from other subjects.
With The Open University you could also study an Open degree where you can combine a range of modules from similar or different subjects to suit either your particular career or personal interests.
You can use a degree to:
Foundation degrees are nationally recognised qualifications focusing either on a particular job or profession; they combine work place learning with academic study. Designed and developed with external partners, you must be working either as a paid employee or as a volunteer in a related work setting.
A foundation degree is equivalent to two thirds of an honours degree. They aim to enhance the professional and technical skills of staff within a profession or those intending to go into that profession.
You can use a foundation degree to:
Most of our foundation degrees are also offered as diplomas of higher education for those living and working in Scotland.
A Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE) is equivalent to two thirds of an honours degree. They are nationally recognised qualifications focusing either on a particular job or profession, or academic study.
DipHEs are designed to increase the professional and technical skills of staff within a profession or extend your knowledge and understanding of a particular subject. A DipHE shows that you are capable of extended study at university level.
You can use a DipHE to:
The Diploma of Higher Education might be of particular interest to those living and working in Scotland.
A Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE) is a nationally recognised qualification focusing on either a particular job or profession, or academic study. Equivalent to the first year of a full honours degree, they are the most basic level of qualification that can be gained in higher education and show that you are capable of studying successfully at university level.
You can use a CertHE to:
There are two ways to start a qualification. If you haven’t studied for a long time or need to build your confidence, beginning your studies with an Access module may be the right choice for you.
Choose a qualification to find out more.
You can study a single module on its own for personal interest or to improve your career prospects. See the list of all our individual courses in Psychology and Counselling.
If you already have a degree, you may want to see postgraduate courses and qualifications in Psychology and Counselling
If you want to study for an undergraduate qualification and you are living outside the UK and Republic of Ireland, visit our international prospectus.
Try our frequently asked questions.
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